419 scam: "From: Desmond Egondu" <info@c3porn.com> Attn: Inquiry For Urgent Business Assistance

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "huge deposit" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "million dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "From: Desmond Egondu" <info@c3porn.com>
Reply-To: desmondegondu@yahoo.com.ph
Date: Tue, 19 May 2015 06:31:16 -0400
Subject: Attn: Inquiry For Urgent Business Assistance

Attn: Chairman/CEO.

I am Desmond Egondu at law. I am the personal attorney to Mr. Mark Davis a
national of your country, who used to work with Shell - development
company in Nigeria. Here in after shall be referred to as my client.

On the 14th of June, 2010 my client, his wife and their three children
were involved in a car accident along Benin - Ibadan express road. All
occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have
made several inquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients
extended relatives.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last
name over the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I
contacted you.

I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left
behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable
by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged. Particularly, the Bank
where the deceased had an account valued at about USD$5.750 Million
dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the
account confiscated within the next ten official working days.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the the relatives for over 2
years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the
deceased since you have the same last name so that the proceeds of this
account valued at Twenty Six Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty
(USD26.850.000.00 USD) can be paid to you and then you and me can share
the money. 60% to me and 40% to you I have all necessary legal documents
that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your
honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that
will protect you from any breach of the law. Please get in touch with me
by my email and send to me your telephone and fax numbers to enable us
discuss further about this transaction.

Best regards,
Barr.Desmond Egondu,
Pricipal Attorney,

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam